How to avoid, treat broken bones on hike

A traumatic injury, the victim will be in severe pain and probably be unable to move the limb. They can quickly go into shock.

Children can avoid breaking bones by following the same safety rules as for falling.

To treat, you may need to straighten the bone. Straightening only should be done when the appendages below the break are blue, cold, numb or paralyzed. Use your handkerchief and gauze bandages to protect any protruding bones. Immobilize the bone by splinting the joint. This will help reduce pain.

Next, support the injured bone with a sling or by bandaging it to an unaffected part of the body. Treat for shock. You may have to carry out the victim or call for medical help. If walking out, carry the victim’s gear.

Read more about day hiking with children in my guidebook Hikes with Tykes.

How to avoid, treat a dislocation on a hike

A dislocation occurs when a bone is wrenched out of its natural position. Typically a finger (especially the thumb), a shoulder, or the jaw are affected. On the hiking trail, a knee or a hip also can become dislocated, especially after a fall, the major cause of dislocations.

To avoid a dislocation, don’t fall, make cross-body movements, lift too heavy of objects over one’s head, or slam oneself against solid objects, like a boulder. Kids having fun often do these things.

You can tell if someone has dislocated a bone by their contorted limbs, swelling around the affected joint, a pain that worsens with motion, and bruising.

To treat, have the victim support the injured joint, and immobilize it using a bandage or a sling. If the shoulder is dislocated, secure it against the chest using a bandage. Treat the victim for shock and seek medical attention. Do not attempt to reposition the dislocated bone into its socket, as this may cause further injury.

Read more about day hiking with children in my guidebook Hikes with Tykes.

How to avoid fall injuries on hikes with kids

One way to avoid fall injuries is to stay
out of caves.

Fortunately, most falls on the trail are not a big deal. Still, they can lead to everything from a scraped knee to a broken bone.

Children can avoid falls by not running and always watching their step. Usually a fall occurs because a child doesn’t see a tree root or a rock on the trail that they then trip over. In addition, don’t walk along narrow ledges and be cautious when clambering over boulders lest an arm or the head hit a hard stone on the way down. Don’t climb vertically on cliff sides; children easily can lose their grip or loose rock might give way. Climbing is a fun pastime but should be done with the right gear.

Another, more dangerous way falls can occur is when kids enter abandoned mines and wells. Usually mine entrances are boarded up, but even that won’t stop inquisitive children from getting inside, so watch them. Mines often have holes or drop-offs in them that can cause serious injury. Children should be told to stay away from mines and wells.

Also, during autumn and early spring, even if there is no snow on the ground, watch your step on bridges or stepping stones over streams and rivers. Ice can form on them. Ice is typically present during the hours immediately after sunrise.

After a fall, always assess the injury’s seriousness and treat accordingly.

Related articles:
g How to prevent and treat hypothermia in children
g Avoiding and treating child dehydration on the trail
g How to avoid and treat nosebleeds
g How to avoid and treat hiking kids' muscle cramps

Read more about day hiking with children in my guidebook Hikes with Tykes.

How to avoid, treat muscle cramps on a hike

To avoid muscle cramps, drink plenty of water. Photo by HckySo/Photoree.

Cramps occur when a muscle is repeatedly stressed, usually because it is not receiving enough oxygen. Because of this, children who are hiking for the first time may suffer from cramps. This problem typically occurs during the first portion of the hike.

Avoid muscle cramps by exercising regularly so you are fit enough to hike. Whether fit or not, don’t overexert yourself by walking too fast. Drink plenty of water but don’t overdo it as too much can give you cramps. Breathe slowly and through your nose when walking. Take frequent rest stops as well.

To treat a cramp, stop to rest, stretch and massage the effected muscle, and drink water.

Related articles:
g How to prevent and treat hypothermia in children
g Avoiding and treating child dehydration on the trail
g How to avoid and treat nosebleeds

Read more about day hiking with children in my guidebook Hikes with Tykes.

How to remove splinters from hiking child

To avoid splinters, children should
avoid running hands over wood.

Splinters seem mild, but to a kid they hurt. If a child is a third our size, a splinter only a third of an inch long would be the equivalent of shoving an inch-long piece of wood into one of our hands. Yeah, that would hurt. They also can become infected if not treated.

To avoid splinters, don’t rub against boards, wood or thorny plants in the wilderness.

Treat the splinter by disinfecting the area around the splinter without touching it. With a tweezers, grasp the splinter as close as possible to the skin and pull it out the way it went in. Squeeze the prickmark so a little fresh blood comes out to help remove any dirt or debris, then disinfect again.

Read more about day hiking with children in my guidebook Hikes with Tykes.